To wonder how people book holidays without arguments?

[Schne]

I’ve been in the process of planning this year’s family holiday for the past month now and still not decided where to go. It will be us, DC, my parents and PIL. It’s just so hard to find somewhere all 9 of us can agree on without arguing. I hate it and it’s so stressful every year. It’s like we’ll decide somewhere and at least someone will be put off by something or want to go somewhere else!

Does everyone else have this struggle??

Be single or don't do it 😁😁

All joking, get parameters, offer max three options and most popular wins, no come backs

one single destination is hardly going to be the dream location for 3 different adult couples as well as children.

Pick a destination and everyone can pick their own type of accommodation near to each other.
Or do you mean nobody can even agree on a destination?

No because we go just us. Bollocks to taking in-laws and parents away. That’s not a holiday…..for us anyway. I’d rather not go away if I had to go with them for exactly the reasons you say.

Just tell them where YOU are going and then they can decide if they want to join you or not!

Just go with people who you won’t argue with.

Generally, either I take the lead and sort it all (most of the time) or DH takes the lead and sorts it all and I let him because I'm glad to have someone else sort it all!

We don't argue but then I'd never go on holiday with my parents and PIls!!

If they dont agree by a certain point just book your own holiday. They can follow suit if they like or do their own thing.

I wouldn't be sitting around letting flight prices go up while I wait for other people to pick and agree where I'm going.

We try not to mix in-laws at all, even for birthdays so th thought of all going on holiday together would have me readying for the smelling salts. I would say since a plan hasn’t been agreed you think it’s best if each family unit goes to their destination of choice.

@Notimeforaname No one can ever agree even on a destination. I finally thought I had something this afternoon. I was looking at Miami but MIL messaged me saying she and FIL doesn’t fancy Miami because they’ve been there before. I’m so frustrated.

Because if you do go away with them, when you get there itll be "nobody can agree where to eat or where to go for the day" itll be horrible.

I can't even imagine taking my parents and PILs on the same holiday. So frankly, well done for even trying!

I'd agree with picking a holiday that you and your children can afford and want to go on, and then see if your parents and PILs want to stay somewhere nearby for all or part of it.

No struggle here, I am single with no kids, so I decide the destination, time, and activities.

Not very helpful respons, I know.

Perhaps travel with just your partner and your children?
But if you have lot of fun when you are travelling with the bigger group, then it is probably worth it.
Good luck, and happy travels!

Very easy for us as it's always only the 2 of us! Will never take our parents on holiday with us!

Give the booking stress to somebody else. Say you’ve done it enough times and it’s someone else’s turn.

But it’s even hard just with DC as they all have their own preferences for holidays too!

No because I go with my DH and children not my entire family! V odd to go as such a big group.

The key I find is to just go where you’re taken 😄✌🏻 DH books our hols and my mum books any big family ones.

I think you and DH choose a destination with your kids, and ask your parents / PIL afterwards if they want to come along. Don't let them dictate your holiday plans.

Pick a date you want to book by. Tell them you're booking on that date. If you all haven't agreed by then, book your own holiday where you want.

Why do you all have to go away together then if you have to compromise and not get the holiday you really want?

Get all couples to find a couple of options as a starting point. There are so many variables. You need to get people's brains in a constructive groove to find a consensus. It is SO easy for one person to get lumbered with the donkey work and for everyone else to just say "nope", "nope", "nope" almost on a reflex, without engaging with what compromise is needed to actually find somewhere that exists and is available. So if they say no, they need to bring a concrete alternative to the table. Don't let them just say "like this but half the price", "like this but closer to the beach".

Or just don't go with extended family! It's a minefield unless you are very lucky.

Never had this problem. We don’t go away with parents or inlaws and if we did we would choose where we wanted to go and invite them to join us based on our already made choice.
Just book for your family. Screw anyone else

But it’s even hard just with DC as they all have their own preferences for holidays too!
You're the parent amd presumably paying, so you pick. That's that.